Man denies burning two cars in Wauconda

A Bolingbrook man accused of setting fire to a pair of cars in Wauconda pleaded not guilty to arson Thursday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Jeremiah Jones, 24, faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of both counts but would also be eligible for probation.

Assistant State's Attorney Reginald Matthews said Jones, of the 100 block of Fernwood Drive, had become angry at a Wauconda man with whom he had a personal relationship.

On June 26, Matthews said, Jones took a plastic bottle full of gasoline to the victim's house in the 600 block of Larkdale Road, and set fire to a 1996 Jeep owned by the victim's sister.

On July 24, Jones took another plastic bottle full of gasoline and started a 2006 Pontiac Vibe owned by the victim on fire, Matthews said.

Severe damage was done to both cars, Matthews said.

Jones was arrested after Wauconda police spoke to a witness who saw Jones with the bottles and heard him make incriminating statements, Matthews said.

Associate Judge Theodore Potknojak scheduled a trial of the case for Sept. 7. He ordered Jones, who is held on $5,000 bond, to appear in court Sept. 2.